A PASSENGER wanting to travel by train from York to Birkenhead was stunned when National Rail Inquiries suggested a journey of almost 33 HOURS via Edinburgh, Ayr and Belfast.

The trip along the ‘scenic route’ involved two trains, two buses and two Irish Sea ferry crossings, with an overnight stay in Belfast, said Peter Moore, a retired railway employee, of Woodthorpe, York.

The suggested journey on Monday, March 20 began by catching the 10.55 from York to Edinburgh. Then, said Rail Inquiries’ website, he should take another train to Ayr, followed by a bus to Caimryan Port and then a boat trip to Belfast Port, arriving at 21.45.

After an overnight stay, he should catch the 10.30 boat from Belfast Port to Birkenhead 12 Quays, arriving eight hours later. From there, he should go by bus to Birkenhead Hamilton Square, arriving at 19.40 on the day after departure.

When The Press went online, a similar journey was suggested for Saturday March 18, only with a change at Glasgow but no overnight stay in Belfast. The 100-mile journey can normally take as little as two hours, 27 minutes.

Mr Moore said he had discovered Merseyrail was renewing tunnel tracks, with revised arrangements involving buses, but details had not yet been incorporated into the rail inquiries website. “Hence, not knowing details of the revised arrangements in Liverpool, the clever computer can only find a more roundabout way to get there.”

A National Rail Inquiries spokesman apologised for any inconvenience caused. He confirmed track was being replaced on the Wirral Loop Line, with Merseyrail running replacement buses, adding: “Local bus replacement services will be confirmed and uploaded to the website as soon as possible, at which point more appropriate journey options will be displayed.”